NBA Commish: League’s One-and-Done Rule to Be Eliminated

Adam Silver indicated the NBA may go back to welcoming players straight from high school.

8 months ago

The NBA’s one-and-done rule is done – at least if Adam Silver gets his way.

Speaking Tuesday, the NBA commish made it clear he supports changing the league’s policy to allow players to enter the league at 18, regardless of whether they have played in college.

As of now, the NBA’s rules require players who are 18 or under to play one year of college basketball or play internationally before they can be drafted.

“My personal view is that we’re ready to make that change,” said Silver. “Given that Condoleezza Rice and her commission has recommended to the NBA those one-and-done players now come directly into the league, and in essence the college community is saying we don’t want those players anymore, that tips the scale in my mind that we should be taking a serious look at lowering our age to 18.”

If Silver wants to make the change, it would need to be collectively bargained with the National Basketball Players Association. Even though the current collective-bargaining agreement doesn’t expire until 2024, draft eligibility rules are allowed to be renegotiated before it ends.